Roy Hodgson: 'Wayne Rooney not a loose cannon'

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 05 October 2014

England boss Roy Hodgson says that Wayne Rooney is not a hot head after the Man United striker was slapped with a three-match ban for kicking out at Stewart Downing.

England boss Roy Hodgson has leapt to the defence of Wayne Rooney amid suggestions that the Manchester United striker cannot control his temper.

Rooney was hit with a three-game ban after picking up a red card for appearing to kick out at Stewart Downing in the 2-1 win over West Ham United last weekend.

The incident has prompted questions over the 28-year-old's conduct, but Hodgson insists that such opinions are way wide of the mark.

"People suggested he kicked out and got sent off because he was frustrated, and there was a lack of discipline and so on," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"But I have got to tell you in my dealings with him, and in particular in that couple of weeks before the Norway game, nothing could be further from the truth.

"If someone wants to write that Rooney hasn't got the temperament I can't stop them doing it, but they are wrong."

The former Everton starlet will miss this afternoon's visit of his former club to Old Trafford, along with clashes against West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea after the international break.